Summer-like heat will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia Sunday, but a changing weather pattern is expected to bring increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms early this week followed by noticeably cooler temperatures by Wednesday and Thursday.

Sunday will be sunny and hot with a high near 93 degrees. With the combination of heat and humidity, heat index values could reach around 100 degrees during the afternoon. Winds will remain calm.

The National Weather Service says unseasonably warm conditions will continue through the beginning of the work week, with heat index readings reaching the upper 90s to lower 100s Sunday and Monday.

While most of Sunday should remain dry locally, there is a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm during the evening. The forecast for Chattooga County currently calls for only a 10 percent chance between about 7 and 8 PM, followed by mostly clear skies and a low around 70.

Forecasters are also watching the possibility of stronger thunderstorms across portions of the region. A Marginal Risk, Level 1 out of 5, for severe weather is in effect for parts of the area Sunday evening, with isolated damaging wind gusts the primary concern where stronger storms develop.

Monday will bring another day of unusually hot September weather. Sunshine is expected for much of the day with a high near 93 degrees and heat index values again approaching 100. There is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily during the afternoon.

Storm chances increase Monday night to around 50 percent, with a low near 68.

A more unsettled pattern develops Tuesday as moisture increases and thunderstorm activity becomes more widespread. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Tuesday afternoon, with the chance of precipitation increasing to 70 percent. Despite the additional clouds and rain, temperatures could still reach around 91 degrees.

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely Tuesday evening before gradually becoming more scattered overnight. The overnight low will be around 67.

Wednesday appears to mark the beginning of the transition away from the persistent September heat. There will still be a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly during the afternoon, but the high is expected to reach only about 84 degrees.

Forecasters say the atmosphere will remain unsettled through Wednesday as northwest flow could allow organized thunderstorm complexes to move through portions of the Tennessee Valley and surrounding region. The exact timing and track of those systems remain uncertain, meaning the potential for severe weather Tuesday and Wednesday will have to be monitored as the week progresses.

By Wednesday night, temperatures are expected to fall to around 61 degrees.

A much more comfortable weather pattern is expected to settle into Northwest Georgia beginning Thursday. Thursday will be mostly sunny with only a 20 percent chance of an afternoon shower and a high near 81 degrees.

Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 60.

Friday and Saturday currently look especially pleasant. Both days are expected to be mostly sunny with highs near 81 degrees, while Friday night could see temperatures fall to around 58 degrees.

Forecasters say the change will finally bring more seasonable temperatures and a taste of fall to North Georgia after the extended stretch of unusually hot September weather.

Residents with outdoor plans early this week should continue monitoring the forecast, particularly Monday through Wednesday, when rain and thunderstorm chances will be at their highest and the possibility of stronger storms cannot be ruled out.